FAMILY LIFE

Nelson John Kirby was born in 1891 in Brisbane, Qld, son of Nelson Kirby Snr & Georgina Sophia (Smith) Kirby. He had two brothers, one of whom, Wesley, also enlisted and three sisters. His father, Nelson Snr, came from Yorkshire, England and, in 1882, selected at Tyalgum where he and the family lived.

APPLICATION

Nelson was single labourer, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Brisbane on 27^th August 1915 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his father, Nelson Snr of Tyalgum. His medical showed he was 24 years 7 months old, 5ft 6 ½ inches tall (1.7m), weighed 100 lbs (45kgs), with a dark complexion, grey eyes & brown hair. His eyesight was good. Nelson was Presbyterian. He was enlisted as a private into the 26^th Infantry Battalion – 12^th Reinforcements with service No 4742 although the service number 4743 is on many documents

26^TH INFANTRY BATTALION

The 26th was originally raised in April 1915 during World War I as part of the Australian Imperial Force and was assigned to the 7th Brigade. The legacy of the 26th Infantry Battalion is deeply rooted in its remarkable contributions during both World Wars. It is remembered for its bravery and resilience in key battles

AUSTRALIAN TRAINING CAMP

Now training for the new recruits began. Firstly, the men received their vaccinations for smallpox, rabies & plague, then a recruit had to be inducted into military forms of discipline, command, and order. This was partially achieved through a program of basic training carried and, in a sense, was maintained for a long as a man was in the service.

It involved marching and drilling with the rifle, cleaning and caring for personal equipment and being supervised and inspected in ways quite different to ordinary civilian life. For example, no boots should be allowed to get in a bad state of wear but must be sent to the bootmaker without delay for repair. Men who were found with hair long and unshaven had to have a haircut and shave

Secondly, after basic training there followed the far more serious exercise of turning a man into a fighting soldier at least partially prepared for the kind of warfare he was about to experience overseas

The topics and exercises in the syllabus of training were a world away from their former lives and included daily physical training, entrenching, wiring, firing rifle grenades, firing the Lewis light machine gun, dealing with gas attack, using hand grenades, using the bayonet, and the routines to be followed in the trenches.

This training was then put into practice during what were called ‘Field Days,’ when men would practice using the skills they had acquired in mock attacks both by day and by night. How well men had learnt to use their weapons, in cooperation with each other in training, would be tested in the harsh reality of the front line. Training would take several months.

VOYAGE OVERSEAS

On the 12^th April 1916, the recruits left Sydney, sailing upon the HMAT Mooltan heading for the Suez. They thought it was the start of a new adventure- for many it was their first time so far away from home. However, after some time at sea the biggest problem turned out to be boredom. Attempts at breaking up the boredom, apart from the regular drill, varied. Shipboard activities included regular church parades and concerts. Troops engaged in lifebelt drill; a cookhouse on deck; soldiers on fatigues peeling potatoes 'spud bashing'; going to the dentist; barber, pay day; soldiers cleaning personal equipment; medical inspection. Sports and recreation included boxing, deck quoits, draughts. Also, the commanding officer's morning inspection; kit inspections; submarine drill; recreation such as the on deck 'open air' library, deck billiards, pillow fighting and card games including Nap. As well, conditions on the ships were cramped and the risk of illness was constant.  It was a foretaste of what was to come.

EGYPTIAN TRAINING CAMP

They had already completed their basic training in Australia but over many more tough months, in the Egyptian training camp, the volunteers left their old lives farther behind. They began their training with physical fitness exercises, they were taught individual and unit discipline, how to follow commands, how to march, some basic field skills and how to safely handle his weapons.  Later, as soldiers specialised in a particular area (for example, machine gunner or signaller) they would be trained in specific skills and would take part in practice manoeuvres and sham fights. They would spend many hours learning training in the use of bayonets, anti- gas training and guard duty along with lectures on camouflage or trench warfare and much more.

TRENCH WARFARE

The recruits now found themselves fighting the German in trench warfare. On the Western Front in 1914–1918, both sides constructed elaborate trench, underground, and dugout systems opposing each other along a front, protected from assault by barbed wire. The area between opposing trench lines (known as "no man's land") was fully exposed to artillery fire from both sides. Attacks, even if successful, often sustained severe casualties. Trench warfare created a living environment for the men which was harsh, stagnant, and extremely dangerous. Not only were trenches constantly under threat of attack from shells or other weapons, but there were also many health risks that developed into large-scale problems for medical personnel. Apart from the inescapable cold during the winters in France & Belgium, trenches were often completely waterlogged and muddy, and crawling with lice and rats

The time soldiers spent in the trenches varied depending on factors like their army's rotation system and the intensity of the conflict in their sector. On average:

·      Front-line trenches: Soldiers typically remained here for about 4–6 days at a time. This was where the fighting was most intense and the conditions were the harshest.

·      Support and reserve trenches: After time on the front line, soldiers were rotated to these positions for around 6–12 days. These trenches were set further back and offered slightly better conditions.

·      Rest periods: Soldiers were then moved away from the trench system entirely for rest, training, and recovery, often lasting several weeks, depending on operational needs.

The rotation system helped prevent complete physical and mental exhaustion, but the constant dangers of trench life meant there was rarely any true respite

TAKEN ON STRENGTH 30^TH SEPTEMBER 1916

The 26^th battalion fought at Gallipoli in the latter stages of that campaign before being withdrawn to Egypt in late 1915. In mid-1916, it was sent to Europe where it served in the trenches of the Western Front in France and Belgium. On 15^th September Nelson embarked to sail to England where, on 30^th September 1916, he was taken on strength.

THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME JULY TO NOVEMBER 1916

Nelson was immediately in the thick of the Battle of the Somme which had been raging since July 1^st. This was a costly and largely unsuccessful Allied offensive on the Western Front during World War I. The horrific bloodshed on the first day of the battle became a metaphor for futile and indiscriminate slaughter. The Somme offensive foundered in the mud when November came, though its dismal finale was partially redeemed by a stroke delivered on November 13 by Gen. Hubert Gough on the still untouched flank of the main 1916 offensive. The four months’ struggle had certainly imposed a severe strain on the German resistance as well as on the attackers.

WOUNDED IN ACTION 5TH NOVEMBER 1916

Nelson was one of the casualties of this battle. On the 5^th November he was posted as wounded in action.

COURT OF ENQUIRY

A court of enquiry was held on 29^th June 1917. After a battle/action a court of Inquiry was held to determine what had happen to all ranks within the battalion. All soldiers were then listed and what happen was ascertained to the best of the knowledge of the men involved. This was not always possible to confirm those missing unless they were seen by a survivor to be killed or wounded. In many cases those listed as missing and were not on the hospital or PoW reports from the Redcross or from the Enemy either German or Turkish were declared dead. The actual date of death was not always to be discovered as a battle may be over a number of days, or even weeks & the court of enquiry can be held many months after the actual day of the incident due to the logistics of finding the appropriate soldiers. The verdict was Nelson was killed in action.

PERSONAL EFFECTS

His personal effects of a kit bag handle & cards were sent to his mother on 25^th July 1917. His identity disc was forwarded on 23^rd April 1918. The British War Medal & the Victory Medal were posted to his father on 6^th June 1922.

FOR HIS SERVICE

He is memorialised at Warlencourt British Cemetery, Warlencourt-Eaucourt, Arras, Nord Pas de Calais, France, Plot 4, row G, grave 11. For his service Nelson is listed on the Tyalgum Great War Roll of Honour, & his name is name is located at panel 108 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial

If you have any additional information about this individual, we invite you to email us at rsl@msmc.org.au.